From transfer to fitness, from tactics to ambition, the starting period of the season will reveal a lot about the leading clubs in England. Here are 10 big questions that this stage can reveal the answer.
1. How is the transfer market?
The coaches want to take advantage of the pre -season period to forge physical strength, tactical testing and building a squad. But there is something out of their control: the transfer market.
Just a few big names like Alexander Isak, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo EkitikeMorgan Gibbs-White or Eberechi Eze are sold, the whole market can be transferred to the chain chain.
None of the 20 clubs have the desired squad at this time. And from now until September, everything can change a lot.
2. MU can create momentum for “Amorim's overhaul”?
No coach is as high as Ruben Amorim. After the 2024/25 disaster season – only 27 points after 27 matches, the lowest win rate in the club's history in the Premier League era – he was forced to “rebuild” from July.
To do that, Amorim needs a smooth season period: From the closing of the rookie, to shaping the tactical diagram with new names like Mathheus Cunha or Mbeumo.
The series of Summer Series in the US against Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham is a golden opportunity for MU to rebuild the spirit. But if the result is bad, the pressure can weigh before the opening match against Arsenal.
3. Man City and Chelsea: Exhausted after the World Cup Club?
The first time FIFA Club World Cup took place in June and July, right after the season ended, and both Chelsea and Man City were present. That can make them exhausted, or vice versa, maintain a stable performance.
Pep Guardiola once warned: “November, December, or 1, everything can be disaster because we are exhausted.”
Both teams played the last match of the previous season until mid -July. Some players even participated in the national team before, that is, they almost had no real summer vacation.
Chelsea will meet Leverkusen and AC Milan, Man City against Palermo in a friendly series. What happens will reveal how they enter the new season with physical and mental condition.
4. Liverpool: Slot started to figure out his own team?
Arne Slot's first season in Liverpool was a positive surprise, when he won the Premier League championship without any big contract, and only used Klopp's squad.
But this summer is a new chapter: Jeremie Frimpong replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, Milos Kerkez instead of Andy Robertson, and especially the blockbuster Florian Wirtz, the player could completely change the line between Liverpool.
If you buy an additional number 9 as rumors, Liverpool attack will be even more transformed. Friendly matches with AC Milan and Bilbao will be the first occasion to verify that.
5. Newcastle can squeeze into the championship race?
Newcastle is “increasing” to reach a new force. Anthony Elanga came, and they could buy another striker. Even this year's goal is not only the top 4, but the Premier League championship.
However, to remember: Last season, Newcastle only won the top 5 thanks to the difference even though not kicking the European Cup. This year, with the heavy schedule in the Champions League, everything will be much more difficult.
How will Elanga coordinate with Isak? And is Isak distracted by rumors of Liverpool pursuing? The friendly match against Arsenal (July 27) and Spurs (August 3) will provide important claims.
6. Is mid -range teams capable of rebuilding?
Brentford, Wolves, Bournemouth and Forest both lost the pillar: Forest lost Elanga, Gibbs-White, are being sought after; Wolves broke up with Matheus Cuha, Ait-Nouri; Bournemouth sells Kerkez and Dean Huijsen. Brentford broke up with coach Thomas Frank, Norgaard left, Mbeumo prepared and Wissa could also follow.
These are 4 ambitious teams, have played very well last season. But now they need comprehensive restructuring, while the preparation time is not much.
7. Can rookies bring Arsenal to a new level?
Last season, Arsenal started slowly and sticked with many red cards, making them short of breath in the championship race. Coach Mikel Arteta this year chose to confront a series of difficult opponents in the friendly stage, with AC Milan, Villarreal, Spurs, Newcastle …
It is a way to accelerate “internal” to enter the season with high intensity.
Martin Zubimendi, a new contract, is considered “Second Rodri”. If they recruit more Viktor Gyokeres as rumors, the attack will also have more important breakthroughs.
Summer friendly will be the perfect occasion to verify both.
8. Everton has the perfect start in the new yard?
After many years of construction, the new Hill Dickinson stadium with a capacity of 53,000 seats will open the first match on August 9, when Everton met AS Roma.
Not only a friendly match, this is a new symbol for Everton, and coach David Moyes needs a dream start to help the team “feel” a new home.
However, the reality shows that: moving to a new yard often comes with short -term difficulties. Everton will need time to turn Hill Dickinson into a real fortress.
9. Three rookies are ready for the Premier League?
After 2 consecutive seasons, all three rookies relegated as soon as they were just in the Premier League, Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland entered the new season with huge pressure.
Sunderland has spent more than 100 million pounds upgrading the squad. Leeds confront MU, Villarreal and Milan in a friendly series. And Burnley met Lazio, a great challenge for the defense that has kept the most clean sheets in the Championship.
This series of high quality friendly matches will help evaluate whether they are ready.
10. Keith Andrews Brentford will be like?
No club is in a “mysterious” state like Brentford. They lost veteran coach Thomas Frank, appointed Keith Andrews, a dead ball expert who had never been a head coach at this level.
They also lost Norgaard, Mbeumo and could lose more Wissa, players who participated in more than 50 goals last season.
Brentford once successfully trusted people from the internal. But this time, they face the challenge too big. The friendly series with QPR and Monchengladbach will help lift Andrews's new style.
